It's time for Halloween, and we are ready to do something that millions of Americans would find absolutely terrifying: we are going to reason!

Yes, it's time for our October meeting of the Fayetteville Freethinkers, another meeting intended to promote critical thinking, science, and freethought in general.

There was recently a march here in Fayetteville to promote awareness of global climate change. The evening before that, actor Ed Begley, Jr., who has a new reality show on the green channel, lectured at the Fayetteville Public Library on sustainable living. It is clear that many people are becoming more environmentally conscious, and they are interested in living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. With this in mind, Doug Krueger will give a presentation on ten easy, substantive, steps you can take to start living greener life, right now. No, you don't have to give up your Hummer. Just turn it into a planter!

Freethinkers have long been ahead of the curve, and on the right side of, moral, civic and humanist principles, there is no reason why we shouldn't be leading the way today on the environmental and sustainability challenges we are unquestionably heading into and dealing with already.

We will also have a presentation and discussion about vaccines. Are they safe? What does the science say?

See you at the meeting!

***Freethinker Meeting Details:

When: Saturday, October 31, 2009. (Halloween.)

Where: The Fayetteville Public Library. 401 W. MountainSt. (two blocks west of the town square). Library phone: 571-2222.

Time: 2:00 pm

Room: The Walker Room. This is the main meeting room. Go in the frontdoor, through the lobby and go to your right. You can bring a snack or coffee from Arsaga's in the library lobby.

If you haven't yet attended a student theater production at the University of Arkansas, you are missing out on one of the benefits of living in (or near) our wonderful university town. And it just so happens that if freethinkers were going to go out on the town and catch a play it would be hard to find one more appropriate than Arther Miller's "The Crucible." Here is the blurb from the Drama Department of the U of A:

***The Crucible

by: Arthur Miller

Directed by: Kate Frank

Chillingly relevant for all times, Arthur Miller’s famous play is a fictionalized account of the witch trials that swept through Salem Village in 1692 ending in the executions of nineteen innocent people (and two dogs!). In the battle over the souls of early Puritans, this tale of theocracy, vengeance and betrayal provides a thrilling piece of theater that drips with the blood of our early American ancestors!***

So lets go and see it! There are many opportunities and a couple 2:00pm matinees, but let's plan on Saturday 21st, the 8:00pm show. Ticket and parking information is here. Parking at the U. of A. is tricky, you need to look at their directions if you haven't been to the theater before. You will also want to get your tickets in advance and get them to hold them for you at the counter (just in case it sells out). Prices are very reasonable, only $15 (and much less if you are a student).

The number for the ticket office is: 479-575-4752. Hours are weekdays between 12:00pm and 3:00pm.

Try to arrive early and we'll gather in the lobby. Darrel is coordinating this event so if you have questions (before 8:00pm on Saturday!) call him at: 442-6738.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

We have locked in the night for our Solstice Dinner and it will be on December 19th at Powerhouse Seafood and Grill. We have negotiated a very nice meal package with a good variety of dishes and everyone will be able to eat, drink and be heretical for less than $25 total (if you want to be "merry" it'll be a bit more for booze). More details at the next meeting and we'll remind you again.

October Freethinker Meeting Summary:

Doug gave our main presentation which included "10 Tips For Living Greener" as gleaned from two recent books by Ed Begley Jr. (we were inspired by his recent lecture in Fayetteville).

We've started a new thread in our freethinker forum with the these ten tips Doug used. Feel free to come by, join in, and add some of your own ideas.

Darrel gave a presentation on vaccines and how the latest science investigations have debunked many of the false alarms we've heard over the years. The main thrust of it was mostly summed up in this short video we watched of Harriet Hall speaking at the recent James Randi convention. For a more indepth version he recommended this excellent article in Skeptic Magazine entitled Vaccines & Autism: A Deadly Manufactroversy. Also, a very good resource for the latest science information on vaccines and autism can be viewed here.

So, hope you can make it to our night out to see "The Crucible" on Saturday the 21st. Note the date of our Solstice Dinner (December 19). Our next meeting (and last formal meeting of the year) will be Saturday November 28th. We are making preparations for an interactive demonstration of dowsing. Bring your sticks to twitch and pendulums to swing if you've got them!